CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY

As complex as the contemporary and globalize world has become, it seems unlikely that most of what
surrounds us is actually the result of the ancient practice of philosophy. Everything from the structure of
democratic governments to the due process of law, from a physician’s Hippocratic Oath to computer
software, has its roots in philosophy.

However, sadly to say that philosophy as a course of study is disappearing in our nation’s colleges and
universities now a day, but its focus on analytical thinking and problem solving is more vitally important
today than before.

Philosophy is an academic discipline that exercises reason and logic in an attempt to understand reality
and answer fundamental questions about knowledge, life, morality and human nature. The ancient
Greeks, who were among the first to practice philosophy, coined the term, which means “love of
wisdom”. Those who study philosophy are called philosophers. Through the ages, philosophers have
sought to answer such questions as, what is the meaning and purpose of human life. How do we know
what we know? Does God exist? What does it mean to possess consciousness? And, what is the value of
morals?

1-The Meaning of Philosophy

Neophytes in the study of philosophy must have a basic inquiry concerning the definition of the

Subject before immersing into complex concepts or understanding in-depth studies.

But before we define philosophy, it is important to have a clear understanding of the term definition. The
term definition is derived from the Latin word “defenire” which means to state the limits of or to enclose
within limits. Meaning to say, to define a word or term or thing is to limit the word or term or thing by
unfolding its nature, or by extracting its meaning, or by getting hold of what it includes and to what it
extends.
The term philosophy was coined and introduced by Pythagoras. Based on the lingo of the Pythagorian
nomenclature, the original term of philosophy is philosophia (Greek). The word philosophia is derived
from the Greek words ”Philos and Sophia” with English equivalent as love/friend and wisdom. So,
etymologically, the meaning of philosophy is love of wisdom. Generally, this definition is already
sufficient for an ordinary discussion. However, it is inadequate if one desires a deeper understanding on
the meaning of Philosophy.

Going back to its etymological definition one may ask; what is love? And What is wisdom? We can start
answering these questions by laying down a secular understanding of love, which would mean an
impulse, drive, longing or urge of the human will towards a specific object. Love always seek unity with
its object and long or wish to possess it,

On the other hand, wisdom would mean the exercise of good or exercise of truth, in other words
wisdom is a live-out knowledge or an application of knowledge. Thus, wisdom cannot be dissociated
from knowledge. Meaning to say, wisdom and knowledge are inseparable. This further simplify the
notion of wisdom, a person is may be knowledgeable, but not wise. But if a person is wise, he/she is
knowledgeable. This is the essence of the inseparability of the two terms.

Truth, however is considered as the ultimate object of knowledge. But, the question is, what is this truth
all about? Well, philosophically speaking, it is the truth that being shown and practiced by a man of
wisdom. If it is the case, then we can infer that to philosophize is to be in quest, or to have a desire
towards loving and living the truth. Since, Sophia (wisdom) is not just an understanding of truth or
rightness, but an application of such understanding in the daily affairs of man.

However, it sad to say that there are many people out-there who knows well and understand the truth,
but they choose not to be truthful, they assert/acclaimed that they are lover of wisdom, but they choose
not to do what is wise. What about you?

Philosophy, as love of wisdom, is an understanding of the ancient Greek thinkers. Let us also explore
other ancient civilizations in order to have a full view of what philosophy all about. One of the oldest
civilization in history is the Chinese civilization. In relation to philosophy, the Chinese have already
established their philosophical beliefs. They have also their terminology of philosophy to them,
philosophy is Zhe-Xue or Che Shueh, and this term was coined by Dr. Nishi Amane. The Chinese
understand Zhe-Xue or philosophy as the “study of wisdom” or wisdom learning.
This Chinese understanding of Zhe-Xue is somehow closely related to the Greek, as love of wisdom. For
the Chinese, Zhe means wisdom, and Xue means study. Significantly, Zhe bears the emblem of mouth
and hand. This picture suggests the inseparability of words and action. Meaning to say for them Zhe-Xue
is the translation of words into action or the application of theory into praxis. (practice) (accepted
practice or custom). Hence, for the Chinese, Zhe-Xue singles out a person to live on what he says.

If the Greeks and the Chinese have their own understanding of philosophy, the Hindus, too have
something to call their own, for them, philosophy is Darsana, which means Vision or to see. Meaning to
say Darsana is seeing not only through the eyes but through the whole being of the one that sees. In
other words, philosophy for the Hindus means seeing the whole of reality through a total advertence
and involvement of the looker.

11-The origin of philosophy

Experts in the field of philosophy unanimously agree that philosophy is not a monopoly of the West. In
fact, before the Westerners started to philosophize the Hindus and the Chinese were already established
enough in their philosophical thinking. This explains why many scholars insists that there were three
great civilizations who fathered the so called birthing of ideas; namely; Hindu; Chinese; and the Greek.

The Hindus (Indians) were asking about the problem of the depth-ego. They were busy searching for the
deepest self of man which directly has an inseparable bearing with the Divine. Thus, their question:
"Who am I?” is well premised in their belief of Atman- the individual soul and Brahman- the Universal
soul.

The Chinese, however, were interested in the question; “What am I”? This question shows their quest on
the anthropocentric or the socio-political moral dimension of the human phenomenon. It illustrates the
passion of the Chinese to be always a person who is called to relate to others who are as human as he is.

Lastly, the Greeks readily disposed their utmost desire to ask: “where am I? With these directions at
hand, classical philosophers would safely infer that there must be three objects of philosophical inquiry,
namely: God, Man and the World.

But, how come that many scholars and even ordinary people would prefer to trace the birth and the
primordial impetus of philosophy in Greece by the Greeks? There are three direct answers ’o the
question above, first, is the Greek philosopher named Thales (Melitus: 624-546 B.C) whom in fact
regarded as the first philosopher, because he theorized that water is the first principle of the universe.
Second, was in the named of Socrates, who gave the concrete idea on how philosophy started, to him
philosophy was borne through Thauma (Gk) means wonder/wondering. Lastly, was through Pythagoras,
the one who coined the term-philosophy.

Ill-the definition of philosophy

Is a science of all that exists in their ultimate cause through the aid of human reason alone.

IV-the purpose of philosophy

The following are the reasons why you need to study philosophy;

1. Philosophy enables you to understand yourselves better; 2. Philosophy helps you understand
others, your fellowmen;

2. Philosophy helps you understand others’ way of thinking:

3. Philosophy helps you understand the world and your place and role in it;

4. Philosophy helps you understand the significance, meaning, value and finality of human life,

5. Philosophy helps you know and understand God in His nature, essence, activities, and attributes.

Therefore, philosophy enables us to understand all things in their ultimate causes, reasons, and
principles through our reasoning faculty.

V- Nature of Philosophy
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Since the ultimate foundation of Philosophy is reason, so therefore, it’s very nature is always in Quests
for an explanation.

The key interrogative words in philosophical search are WHAT, WHY, and HOW.

Man as migrant in this world he continually asks for the significance of an event, the interpretation of
symbols, or merely for the meaning of his existence as a human being together with other creatures in
the world.

VI-Branches of philosophy

Axiology – is a philosophical study on the nature of values in relation to man’s moral life. Social
philosophy-it deals on the nature of man as a social being and his relationships in the

Society.

Aesthetics-is a philosophical study on the nature of beauty.

Philosophy of man-is a philosophical study of man as person in consideration of his faculties.

Philosophy of Religion – it deals with man’s relationship with God.

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Metaphysics-is a branch of philosophy that examines the fundamental nature of reality.

Cosmology-is a philosophical study of the material world with

Regards to its order in the universe.

Theodicy-is a philosophical study on God’s justice.

Anthropology-is a science that studies the nature of man with regards to the union of body and

Soul and his relationship in society. Epistemology- is a branch of philosophy that deals with human
knowledge with regards to

Certainty and truth. Ethics/Moral philosophy – is a branch of philosophy that deals with the principles of
man’s right and moral actions as endowed by his reason and free will.

Logic-is a science and art of correct thinking.